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Kent State University Wins Big at the 2013 Akron ADDY Awards

Posted Mar. 18, 2013

Members of Kent State University's winning teams celebrate
their ADDY awards from the 2013 Akron ADDY Awards.

Four Kent State University creative groups won awards at the 2013 Akron ADDY Award competition. The competition was hosted by the American Advertising Federation-Akron (AAF-Akron). Kent State’s University Communications and Marketing department; The Tannery, the student run creative agency and integrated marketing firm of the College of Communication and Information; and Glyphix, the student design and illustration studio within the School of Visual Communication Design, all received multiple awards. University Communications and Marketing won five awards, including two Gold ADDYs. The Tannery won two ADDYs, including one Gold, and Glyphix won four Silver ADDYs. In addition, The Burr, a student-run magazine, won a Silver ADDY. Winners of the awards include a mix of faculty, staff and students.

Also, Kent State student Ryan Sprowl entered a project that he and Kent State student Kimberly Smolkowicz made together under the Student Category and won a Gold ADDY and the People's Choice Award.

The AAF-Akron is the local chapter for the national AAF Trade Association. The trade association recognizes incredible creativity, writing, design and project management in all forms of advertising across various types of media. There are three levels of the AAF’s ADDY Awards competition — local, district and national.

Dan Karp, executive director of creative services at University Communications and Marketing, believes it is very important to share these awards with the schools and groups that the department does creative work for.

“These university departments share their creativity and input throughout the entire process,” says Karp. “They should share this award with us.”

Many of the University Communications and Marketing ADDY winners are no strangers to the award, but this is Graphic Designer Jason Zehner’s first ADDY. Zehner had a hand in each University Communications and Marketing winning project this year.

“I was surprised,” says Zehner. “It felt great to have my work recognized.”

The Tannery is also new to the ADDY scene. The Tannery opened just a few years ago, and this was its first year competing in the Akron ADDY Awards. Evan Bailey, Tannery operations manager, says he was very pleased with the outcome.

“It was very exciting to be recognized alongside the area’s best marketing and advertising firms,” says Bailey. “When we found out we won a Gold ADDY in the professional category, we were especially thrilled.”

Assistant Professor Valora Renicker, the creative director for Glyphix, was also happy with the studio’s accomplishments.

“Regardless of whether they are awarded to students or practicing professionals, the ADDY Awards are a well-respected competition in the advertising, marketing and design community,” says Renicker.

The Burr received a Student ADDY in the Collateral Material category. The magazine won silver for its publication design of the Spring 2012, Issue 1 cover.

“It is our goal to ensure The Burr remains a standard of excellence in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication,” says Anthony Dominic, editor-in-chief of The Burr. “This award is not only a reminder that our students are succeeding at that, but it’s an inspiration to continue in our efforts.”

All of the Gold ADDY winners will advance to the regional competition. From there, any winners have a chance to win a national award.

Akron ADDY Award winners from Kent State are:

University Communications and Marketing
Gold ADDY
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